LIKE many people in Macclesfield I hoped never to revisit the heartbreaking Russell Kellar story again then this news broke and all those uncomfortable feelings resurfaced.

As a prominent menswear retailers Russell had been one of the best-known characters in Macclesfield for over 20 years. He supported charities, gave generously to any down and out that came through the door and never uttered an unpleasant word about anyone. He was happy-daft and we all loved him.

When his arrest came for sexually abusing two underage girls the whole town went into shock. It had to be a mistake. It wasn’t and Mr Kellar was jailed for four years.

There was no gossip, no whispered I told you so’s or uttered suspicions just shocked silence. For Mr Kellar’s wife and family the consequences were devastating. Their business collapsed and the marital home sold amid the utter shame of a traumatized and innocent family.

Mr Kellar served his sentence and moved to Southport where he attempted to make a living as a karaoke DJ in local bars and clubs until his conviction was publicised in a Southport newspaper. There was no suggestion that anyone under 18 attended these venues but Mr Kellar was sacked immediately.

God knows we need to keep our children safe and nothing will ever erase the suffering of those poor little girls but must there be no rehabilitation of offenders ever?

I know that throwing away the key is one of the kinder responses and no responsible person would ever allow Mr Kellar to be in charge of children but should he be hounded from every job he holds?

Mr Kellar’s case is a tragedy not only for those young girls robbed of their innocence and all the families involved but for an entire town shocked into uneasy silence.

The views on this page are those of Vic Barlow and not necessarily those of the Express.